Winter Excursion 5, Day 196

The drive today was easy, I90 to I81 and then home, no issues.

So here are the stats for this years trip.

We stayed at 22 different campgrounds. 

We drove a total of 11566.1 miles.
The camper now has a total of 25844.5 miles on it (in four years)!
Average MPG was 10.8 for the whole trip (towing and when not). So we used 1070 gals of gas, at $2.70/gal (estimate) we spent $2889 on gas! The lowest we saw for a gas price was $1.99/gal in South Carolina, although in some states it was much higher and as the year progressed it just got more expensive. When we got to New York it was $3.09!
Here's a pic of our route this year.

It was a good trip this year. We pretty much hung out at the camper most of the trip as the COVID crap was still in effect. We stayed at some new campgrounds and really enjoyed the COE campgrounds.

We are already planning next year's trip and have most of our reservations already made, including our camp host position at George L. Smith State Park in Georgia (1 Jan 22 - 30 Apr 22).

We have no trips planned for this summer so the next blog post will be 1 Nov 21.

We are camping in the yard as I write this. It's good to be home!

Winter Excursion 5, Day 195

It was a very quiet day. I think most of the rabble rousers were to hung over to make any noise. They were drinking Bloody Mary's by 0900.

We watched the mass exodus all morning and into the afternoon. Check out time is supposed to be 1100, but as most things in this park, it is not enforced.

Late in the afternoon I took a ride on the E-bike. The campsites are all almost empty again. I'm sure after Memorial day this place will be jumping. I'm glad we won't be here!

Filled the truck up for the ride home tomorrow. It's a bitter-sweet evening as this is our last night camping this winter trip. 😭

I'll post this years trip and stats when we get home tomorrow.

Winter Excursion 5, Day 194

 Out of 41 sites on E Loop only 2 are not occupied. Lots of people and Kiddos.

Cath and I spent the day talking to folks and people watching.

We did not have a repeat of the dogs last night, but had something almost as bad. The neighbor across the street came over to tell us that they are having a party/bonfire right behind our camper and we are invited. We said no problem, but we will not be attending. The party started around 2000 and lasted until after 2300 which is one hour after quiet hours at 2200. It was a loud, drunken, music fest! They had their "Boom Box" turned up to the max, very annoying. We are both surprised that this park allows this loud behavior (both the dogs and the partiers). It is a shame as there are lots of families with little kids that had to endure this behavior! OK my rant is over.

Tomorrow most of the campers will be leaving and we should have one last quiet night before we head for home.

Winter Excursion 5, Day 193

We drove into Albion to pick up a few things for the weekend. On the way we stopped at Miller's Bulk Food and Bakery, Medina, NY. It's an Amish run farm store very much like our Noltz's store at home.

Back at camp the Weekenders began to arrive and by 1700 the entire campground was full. We always get a kick out of watching everyone back their RVs in and set up. You can tell the experiences campers.

Right behind our camper is two campers that are together. They have three dogs. Last night one of the dogs barked constantly for over two hours. It was very annoying. It's the first time we have encountered this, although I've read about this behavior on some RV forums. Hopefully we don't have a repeat tonight!

Winter Excursion 5, Day 192

We let camp after lunch and drove to BlackBird Cider Works just north of Somerset, NY. We did a couple of flights. They have about 12 different ciders. We picked our two favorite and brought some back to the camper.

After the Cider joint we stopped at Golden Hill State Park. If we ever come back to this area we will stay here. The sites are a little close together, but they are right on Lake Ontario.

On the way back to camp we came across these trees. From a distance they looked a little funny.

As we got closer we were surprised to see thousands of shoes hanging in the trees. These trees are in the middle of nowhere!

Back at camp we just enjoyed the great weather, deep fried some shrimp on the Egg, and relaxed.

Winter Excursion 5, Day 191

We spent the entire day at camp.  

Finally got the E-bike tire fixed with a new tube. Did a test drive and all is well. During the test drive I got this pic of Lake Ontario from the campground. If you look close you can see Canada across the lake about 40 miles away. It is very clear today!

We spent the day cooking another brisket on the Egg. It turned out great!

We got some neighbors later in the afternoon, three 5th wheels moved it just down the loop from us. The campground is supposed to be full this weekend.

Winter Excursion 5, Day 190

We ran into town (Albion, NY) this morning to pick up a few things. Albion has the closest Walmart. While Cath shopped I got some gas and hit the car wash. The truck was filthy, but it's been to cold to wash it. I'll give it a good bath and detail when we get home.

Albion also has a huge prison, one of the biggest we've seen. The Erie canal went through this town and the downtown area near the dock is really old, but well kept.

When we were getting ice we noticed this mural across the street!

Back at camp we just hung-out and enjoyed the weather, although it is a little windy, but that is to be expected on the lake.

Winter Excursion 5, Day 189

Woke up to a sunny day! We were packed up and on the road by 0900. We did I90 almost the entire way. Show Wesley this sign, we got a kick out of it!

The weather was perfect for traveling, sunny and light winds. Here's a view of Lake Erie from the Interstate.

Here's the new campsite. We are starting to think no one likes us, we are the only campers on "E" Loop, but I'm betting the "Weekenders" will be here Friday.

One more week to go on this trip, then we will be home.

Winter Excursion 5, Day 188

The rain started last night and rained all day! Camper bound again as temps once again stayed in the low 40s. We even had a snow advisory.

I left camp late afternoon to gas up the truck and pick up our customary, last day pizza.

A few toddies, dinner, a little TV then off to bed. We are headed to New York tomorrow, one more week of camping for this trip. 

Winter Excursion 5, Day 187

High temp today was 41! Most folks hung out in their campers or if they did go for a walk bundled up like it was winter.

I went grocery shopping this morning, and was hoping to stop at Mike's Gyro stand on the way back. It was still closed, guess no Gyros this trip!

Back at camp it was another "camper bound" day, cribbage, TV, and a nice dinner.

Winter Excursion 5, Day 186

Today was very exciting, it was laundry day! The park has a laundry room with two washers and two dryers, but one of the dryers was broken.

It never got out of the 40s until the sun came out around 1500,, then it got to 51. This cold snap is forecast to last for the next four days.

We watched some TV, took some rides on the E-bike, and watched all the "Weekenders" arriving.

Winter Excursion 5, Day 185

Today we did the drive along Lake Erie from Geneva State Park, OH to Presque Isle State Park, PA. In Ohio we traveled the Lake Erie Costal Trail and in Pennsylvania we were on the Seaway Trail. We had been to Presque Isle State Park a few years ago. It looks like they have had a few bad storms as there are trees down all over the park. We drove back to Geneva on RT 20, the main highway before I90 was built. Lots of old, sometimes strange sights to see on both routes.

Back at camp I took a bike ride over to the beach. The trail was washed out by erosion the last time we were here, but they built a new trail.

Temps are still a little cool, but we enjoyed a relaxing late afternoon outside. A little TV after dinner, then off to bed.

 

Winter Excursion 5, Day 184

The racoons were gone this morning. I'm sure they were happy to be free again.

We spent the day at camp, playing cards, watching TV, and talking with the neighbors.

The weather turned cold, high temps today were in the 40s! And we thought it was spring time...LOL.

Still only a few campers in the park, but the Ranger said it will be full this weekend.

All is well in the Boss Camp.

Winter Excursion 5, Day 183

We did a short drive around the area, stopped at the grocery store, and checked out Geneva-on-the-Lake. We were hoping our favorite Gyro stand was open, but it wasn't. Hopefully it will be open this weekend.

This is our fifth time at this park and they just put up a new sign.

Here's our site, #36, our favorite.

We had a few other campers come in today, but there is only 3 of us on the loop.

I walked over to the dumpster to get rid of some trash and found these two inside all huddled up in the corner. When the Ranger came by I told her about the racoons. She put a stick in dumpster that is taller than the dumpster so they can get out. We will see tomorrow.

The tire on the E-bike went flat again, I guess my patch job didn't hold. I went to a local bike shop and picked up a new tube. I'll install it tomorrow.

 

Winter Excursion 5, Day 182

Yesterday evening we were sitting outside when a whole group of Class A campers arrived. Not sure where they came from or where they were going, but all had Ohio tags. They were traveling together as they all knew each other.

We left camp this morning around 0830. We were glad we had put almost everything away yesterday as it rained all night and this morning. Got this pic on the way out.

The drive to Geneva State Park, OH was 300 miles in the rain. We did most of the drive on the Interstates. Arrived around 1430 and got all set up and it wasn't raining!. There is only one other camper on this loop. There are a few others on the Full Hook-up (FHU) loop. We did meet the other camper on our loop when he stopped by on his walk. This is their first time camping. They leave tomorrow, but will be back on Friday. They are locals trying out their new camper. I'm sure we will see them again as their site on Friday is right across from us.

Winter Excursion 5, Day 181

We spent the day watching all the other campers leaving. By the time it was done we were back to a half dozen campers left in the park.

We went to Oxford, OH to get a few supplies and fill the truck up with gas.

Back at camp we watched a teardrop type camper arrive.  The pigtail from the truck to camper was dragging on the ground. It looked like it had been dragging for awhile. After an hour I rode the E-bike down and asked how the pigtail was doing. The answerer was not good and they needed some help. I got all of my electrical repair stuff, spent an hour with them, and got them back on the road again. Looks like they had dragged that pigtail for a long way, both ends of the wires were totally road-rashed!

We spent the rest of the evening getting ready to travel tomorrow. It's going to rain all night, so we packed it all up. Hopefully tomorrow will not be heavy rains!

Winter Excursion 5, Day 180

We drove to Camping World in Richmond, IN to pick up some new running/marker lights for the camper. We lost a lens on one of them on the drive to here. Found some really nice, bright LEDs. Back at camp we got them installed and caulked just in time for "AB Time".

I took a little ride on the E-bike in the afternoon and the back tire went flat. I'll have to figure that one out tomorrow.

The campground is totally full and it's still fun watching all the other campers.

The winds were not so bad today and the weather was sunny and warm.

Winter Excursion 5, Day 179

We spent the day in camp. 

The winds were very strong, with gusts of over 35 mph. Lots of stuff got blown around the campground including Kaylee's bed and the tarp it was on!

We did spend the afternoon outside as it is Friday and we get to do our favorite passtime...people watching! Just about every campsite is full for the weekend. We got lucky and the site right in front of us is one of the empty ones.

Here's the view last week:

And here's the view today, it's wall to wall campers.

We do have some nice neighbors and there is tons of Kiddos now. It should be a fun weekend. We can't wait for the mass exodus on Sunday.